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And she has finally unveiled her new look on TV and explained how the operation changed her from a once-married, confused dad into a delighted single mum.

India said: "I was working in television for 10 years and it was a job I loved a lot.

"But unfortunately I had a secret. I was ignoring what I knew deep down, that I didn't belong in that body.

"Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s I kept the secret deep within me.

CATERS

In 2010, after years of turmoil, Jonathan quit to pursue his dream of being a woman

"But in February 2010 I was interviewing a politician and caught sight of my reflection.

"I had slicked back hair, a sharp suit, and looked confident. Yet I stared at myself in disgust. This has got to stop, I thought. I need to be true to myself."

I was ignoring what I knew deep down, that I didn't belong in that body

India

Determined to change her life, whatever the consequences, she resigned from her Carlisle-based job at ITV Border's Lookaround regional news show and changed her name by deed poll to India.

And when a public relations job came up 60 miles away in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne it gave her the perfect opportunity to be herself.

So she drove for the interview and went dressed as India, the woman she wanted to be.

She added: "I was called for a job interview and knew this was my chance. I wore a smart skirt-suit and a little make-up, and the interview went well.

CATERS

India met the lovely Kellie Maloney just as she was checking out of hospital

"They offered me the job, and my double life began. I juggled two parallel lives."

India then spent the next five years "flip-flopping between genders" as she worked as India during the week and then returned as Jonathan to see her son who was unaware then about her other persona.

She explained: "During the week, I lived as India in Newcastle and every weekend I'd go back to Carlisle, wearing jeans and a football shirt to see my boy.

"Five days a week in Newcastle I was female but two days a week I was in Carlisle and male.

CATERS

Willoughby amazed viewers by appearing back on TV as an attractive brunette called India

"Two sets of friends, neither of which knew the other. My family and friends completely oblivious to the life I was leading."

India described the moment in July when she summoned up the courage to have the final operation and also break the news to her son - and her joy as he accepted her.

India, whose marriage ended when her son was three, added: "My life finally feels whole. I used to feel I was in a play and someone had given me a script and said 'this is the role you are going to act out for the rest of your life.

"But this year I just felt why am I pretending? I just regret not doing this sooner."

Explaining why she chose to reveal herself publicly last Monday on the BBC's Inside Out North East and Cumbria, she said: "I decided to stand up and be counted.

"By telling my story I hope that I can - in some small way - help break down any ill-conceived pre-conceptions.

"If it helps others on their journey, fantastic." India's dream now is to be in a relationship and maybe read the news again - but this time as India.

She beamed: "Nobody wants to be on their own forever. That's the next episode in my life.

"Who knows what the future holds. I hope one day I'll read the news again!"